Leeds City College

One of our apprentices who began his NHS career as a teenager has won a national award for his outstanding approach to patient care.

Jacob Naylor, an apprentice healthcare support worker at Leeds City College, was named Apprentice of the Year in the Northern Council for Further Education’s (NCFE) Aspiration Awards 2026.

The awards are held annually to celebrate the success of remarkable learners, apprentices, educators, support staff and educational organisations across the UK.

Jacob joined York Hospital, part of the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, as one of the youngest members of its clinical team, aged just 16. Despite his tender years, he quickly showed a level of compassion and professionalism beyond expectations, earning the trust of both his colleagues and patients.

Jacob’s tutor and course leader in Clinical Health and Social Care at Leeds City College, Jamie Jaffray, said: “He is an exceptional example of the transformative power of apprenticeships within the NHS.

“In a relatively short period of time, Jacob has developed from a young apprentice entering the workforce for the first time into a capable, resilient and highly respected member of the ward team.”

Jacob has become known for his compassionate approach towards patient care, particularly when supporting and reassuring individuals who are anxious during their hospital stay.

Alongside his day-to-day role, he has also been keen to build on his professional development. That has involved observing in surgical theatres and volunteering for a three‑month secondment on the hospital’s Winter Pressures Ward, where he supported colleagues during a demanding period.

Jacob manages dyslexia alongside his apprenticeship, which initially made the academic aspects of his training daunting. Rather than allowing this to hold him back, however, he instead sought additional support, attended one‑to‑one sessions and developed strategies to build confidence in his written work and learning.

His commitment to his role has also been formally recognised with an NHS England Chief Nursing Officer’s Award, which was created to celebrate the contribution of nurses and healthcare support workers in England.

Speaking on his Apprentice of the Year win, Jacob said: “I am delighted to have received this Aspiration Award.

“My apprenticeship with the trust has helped me build on my previous care experience, develop new skills and knowledge, and grow in confidence when communicating with patients. I have really enjoyed learning, working with a supportive team, and seeing how much I have progressed.”

Looking ahead, he believes his apprenticeship will provide the foundation for a long‑term career in healthcare and is motivated by a genuine desire to continue learning, and supporting others, within the NHS.